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Description

Isuzu was one of six Nagara-class light cruisers with none of the other ships in class surviving past 1944. Isuzu was launched in 1921 commissioned two years later in 1923. Isuzu was then sunk on June 20, 1945 by American submarines in the Java Sea.

Isuzu was designed to carry one floatplane on board for reconnaissance purposes and thus had one catapult. Isuzu also had a required a crew of 430 men and an armament that consisted of seven Type 3/50 Naval Gun (14 cm), two Type 96 Autocannons, six defensive 13 mm heavy machine guns, and eight torpedo tubes.[1] The total length of the Isuzu was around 163 meters with its total displacement being about 5,080 metric tons. The Isuzu was powered by four turbines and had a maximum speed of 36 knots.

In 1944, Isuzu underwent conversion into the only light cruiser to be fitted for anti-aircraft purposes. Thus, the Isuzu had its floatplane catapult removed and replaced with full radar/sonar accommodations. Furthermore, all seven of its 140 mm guns removed replaced for anti-aircraft guns.[2]

History

The Isuzu was laid down in 1920 and finally commissioned in 1923. Isuzus first combat experience was gained in the late 1930s to defend the Japanese landings in China and conduct general combat patrols. In 1942, the ship was assigned along with its fellow destroyers to the South Pacific and directly participated in the naval battles off of Guadalcanal. Following combat, the Isuzu returned to Japan for refitting and repair before being hit again in Kwajalein atoll. However, this time the Isuzu was finally modified for anti-aircraft duties, though it was eventually sunk in the Dutch East Indies by two American submarines.